Will Of James Bickley
(Louisa Co., VA Will Book 2, p. 261)
(Son of Joseph Bickley, Jr.)
The following will of James Bickley was copied by me from a photocopy of the original handwritten will obtained from the Clerk of Louisa County, VA. I have attempted to read the old handwriting to the best of my ability and feel the following is fairly accurate. Following the example of more experienced researchers, I have put words in parentheses of which I am uncertain and left blanks for the ones I found unreadable.
Rhoda Taylor Fone RhodaFone@aol.com
"In the name of God Amen. I James Bickley of Louisa County being of sound & disposing mind memory & understanding, do make and ordain this my Last Will & Testament in manner of form following. I Surrender my Soul into the Hands of my mercifull Redeemer & my Body to be interred at the discretion of my Executors hereafter named, & as to the Temporal Estate which it hath pleased God to bless me I give as followeth. ITEM my Will & Desire is that after paying my just Debts the Remainder of my Estate of Every kind whatever be Equally divided between Joseph Bickley, Elizb. Bickley, Mary Bickley, Peggy Bickley, & Sarah Bickley, the Children of my Deceased brother Wm. Bickley & that the said Estate Remain in the Hands of my Exrs. (until?) the Children above mentioned come of age or are married & that then my Executors give them their Equal parts. & I do Constitute and appoint my Friends Thos. Darracott & George Holland my Executors of this my Last Will & Testament.
Signed & Sealed
in presence of
............................................................................................
James
Bickley [seal]
Elizabeth Darracott
Elizabeth Bickley
At a Court held for Louisa County May 13th 1776 This Will was this Day Exhibited in Court by Thos. Darricott and George Holland Executors therein named and was proved by the Oath of Elizabeth Darricott a witness thereto and Ordered to be Recorded.
Test John Nelson Clk."
"Know all men by these presents, that we Thos. Darricott, George Holland, Wm. White Gent. & Robt. F. Bibb (are held?) & firmly bound unto William Johnson the first Justice in the Commission of the Peace for Louisa County, for & in behalf and to the Use and _______ of the Justices of the Said County, and their successors, in the sum of Five Hundred pound Current Money to be paid to the said Wm. Johnson, his Executors, Administrators and Assigns; To the which payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves and every of us, our and every of our heirs, Executors and Administrators, jointly & severally, _________ by these presents, Sealed with our Seals. Dated this thirteenth Day of May 1776."
"The Condition of this obligation is such, That if the above bound Thos. Darricott & George Holland Executors of the Last Will and Testament of James Bickley deceased, do make or cause to be made, a true and perfect Inventory of all and Singular the goods, Chattels, and Credits of the said deceased which have, or shall come, to the hands, possession, or knowledge of the Thos. and George or into the hands a possession of another person, or persons for them and the same (so?) made, do Exhibit into the County Court of Louisa at such Time as they shall be thereto Required by the said Court; and the same goods, Chattels, and Credits, and all other the goods, Chattels and Credits of the said deceased, which at any time after shall come to the hands, possession or knowledge of the said Thos. & George, or into the Hands and possession of any other person or persons, for them, do well & truly Administer according to Law; and further do make a true & Just Account of their Actings and doings therein, when thereto Required by the said Court; and also shall well & truly pay and deliver all the Legacies Contained and Specified in the said Testament, as far as the said goods, Chattels, and Credits will thereto Extend, and the Law shall charge then this obligation to be void and of none-Effect, or Else to remain in Full force (& Virtue?).
.......................................................................................................................
Thos.
Darracott (Seal)
Sealed and delivered .........................................................
Geo. Holland
(Seal)
in the presence of
........................................................................
Wm. White (Seal)
.................................................................................................................
Robt.
F. Bibb (Seal)
At a Court held for Louisa County on Monday the 13th day of May 1776. This Bond was this day in open Court acknowledged and ordered to be Recorded."
Last Updated: Saturday, February 24, 2001